CARDIGAN’S own Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, RFA Cardigan Bay, returned to Portsmouth yesterday after a three-year deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of coalition operations and the Iraqi navy.

The landing ship dock has provided a vital platform in the Northern Gulf over the last three years providing support and training facilities to Iraqi, US and UK units stationed in the area.

Highlights of the deployment have included Iraqi marines and naval personnel learning about sea survival in the ship’s flooded dock, US patrol boat teams and the boats themselves being stationed onboard, regular VIP visits and the occasional short port visit.

The ship, which for the majority of the deployment has been the largest coalition unit in the area, had a fully operational crew of up to 121 comprising personnel from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Navy, Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Logistic Corps. The ship is also capable of carrying up to 600 troops if required.

Commanding officer Captain Paul Minter said: “RFA Cardigan Bay has truly secured her place in the history of Operation Telic and the history of the fledgling Iraqi Navy.

“It has been a demanding but rewarding role to provide support to such an important task, and has demonstrated the versatility of these capable ships.

“Cardigan Bay is now returning to prepare for amphibious duties in support of Commander Amphibious Task Group later in the year.”

During the course of the deployment the ship has travelled more than 71,500 nautical miles, undertaken 24 patrols into the Northern Arabian Gulf and those serving on board have earned hundreds of Iraq Medals.

The ship is now returning home with a full operational cargo of desert combat vehicles loaded in Cyprus.

It was launched at BAE Systems Naval Ships shipyard in Govan, Glasgow on April 9, 2005. It had been due to be launched the day before, but was delayed due to strong winds.